There’s no better stress reliever than to play in the dirt! I have often taken for granted my ability to move through my gardens easily. Oh maybe my knees give me a little trouble now and then, but I can bend down and pluck a weed or snip a flower with ease. Other gardeners can’t.

Gene Rothert, the author of The Enabling Garden, is the Director Emeritus at the Chicago Botanic Garden and his book is a fantastic resource for those looking to make gardening easier for themselves or loved … [Continue reading]

…for an early start to planting! First, let’s review our Climate Zones. They changed this year and it makes 1/2 a zone difference. Check out the zone map on the right side of this page. You’ll note that zone 4 goes all the way up to the Wadena area and the subdivisions of a and b have changed. Essentially, the Twin Cities is the dividing line for Zone 4b/a, the Cities being zone 4b, which is warmer.

Looks like this year’s features lean more to super foods! I’m okay with that.

The front page of most catalogs picture veggies or fruit! Gurney’s is tantalizing with blueberries and blackberries. While the ‘Patriot Hybrid’ blueberry is doable to zone 4, the ‘Black Magic’ blackberry is listed as zone 5 hardy. This one may be worth stretching your climate zone for. It’s touted as a double producer delivering a summer crop and a smaller Fall crop. They’re also heat tolerant.

Oh the joy of receiving plant and seed catalogs in the your mailbox! I just don’t get the same pleasure looking online as I do having that hard copy in my hand. I know, it’s not very green of me but I DO recycle the catalogs after I’ve enjoyed them!

There are some terms in these catalogs that not everyone knows so here’s a mini glossary of a few:

Slow to bolt – this term is usually associated with lettuce and is a good thing. It means the plant doesn’t

In my Organic Gardening magazine this month they featured some of their favorite vegetable varieties tested in gardens they chose around the country with varying climate zones. Here are a few I’m considering!

Kale ‘White Russian’ is sweeter than most kale and packed with nutrients. It’s very easy to grow and likes it cool. You can easily plant a spring crop and a fall crop.

Carrots have the highest sugar content of any vegetable except beets. I happen to love ‘Purple Dragon’ but the OG test gardener says her … [Continue reading]

Another garden trend that has been going on for a long time, seems to be kicking into high gear. Here’s an interesting fact, Organic matter decomposing in landfills generates 16.2% of the nation’s emissions of methane greenhouse gas. In New York City, they bury at least 1.2 million tons of food waste each year at $80 a ton. It could all be recycled and used in various ways.

Growing gardens with kids isn’t new but the approach has been changing. From the kids being told to weed their parents gardens …

… to creating community gardens at school.

And now Minnesota teachers have an exciting new resource for planning, planting and harvesting a school garden with their students. Oh, and so do you! This (free) downloadable guide, bursting with delicious ideas, is great for anyone to use. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has published the new comprehensive garden guide: Minnesota School Gardens: A Guide to Gardening and Plant … [Continue reading]

Going into winter in drought conditions in NOT good for our plants. They’re stressed out! For them it’s like the holidays on steroids. Often when a Master Gardener gets a diagnostic question like “how come my plant/tree/shrub is dying?” – it’s more than one thing. Plants that are stressed are weakened and more susceptible to disease and pest damage.

It’s too late to give our plants any more water as the ground is pretty well frozen, however, if you haven’t mulched yet, now’s the time! And remember….